The years Ellis spent trailing Thomas and her art school cohorts – notably Nick Cave and Jenny Bannister – provided him with colourful social moments that documented the fashion and social scene in Melbourne. Some of these shots are included in an exhibition at South Yarra’s Mossgreen Gallery this month.

“Rennie would be at every party,” Thomas recalls. “He was one of the guests, snapping away.” Nothing was contrived, she insists, as she highlights some of the candid moments at “bohemian, sleazy, glam hotspots around Melbourne” that are forever etched into old rolls of film.

Thomas admits sometimes her outrageous dedication to fashion landed her in hot water. She remembers dressing in her best punk gear, cutting up stockings and defying racewear style at the 1977 Melbourne Cup. A photo of Thomas, taken by Ellis, ended up on the cover of The Bulletin. ‘‘My father had The Bulletin delivered to his office,’’ she recalls, still mortified.

Despite him landing her in a tough spot with her dad, Thomas says she’s thankful Ellis was there capturing what would later become poignant memories. ‘‘In those days it was uncool to take a camera. It was Rennie who documented it, thank God.’’

Thomas credits Manuela Furci, Ellis’s former personal assistant, and his wife, Kerry Oldfield, for keeping Ellis’s works available for exhibition after he passed away in 2004.

The exhibition on display at Mossgreen Gallery includes an array of candid shots captured in local haunts such as Prahran and St Kilda. ‘‘Rennie is probably wishing he could be at his own exhibition taking photos,’’ says Thomas. ‘‘He was a true character and loved Melbourne society.’’

Rennie Ellis – This Is The Show is on at Mossgreen Gallery, 310 Toorak Road, South Yarra from February 11 to March 3.